Signaling device



HLB. WHITING SIGNALING DEVICE Filed March 29, 1928 2 Sheefcs-rShe'et 1 Inventor April 14, 1931.v H. B. WHITING Y 1,300,331

' SIGNALING DEVICE Filed March 29, 1928 2 Shets-Sheet 2 .1 ma nmmamm1 "IIIIIII/ IIIIIIII/Z Inventor I B fimddigzm. Q

Attorney bro enaway.

Patented Apr. 14, 1931' I A UNITED-STA TES PATENT 0F Pics 30m BRIGGS WEIITING", OI HAMPTON BEAGH,

sieiunme nnvrcn v Application filed March 29, 1928. sum no. 285,864.

The present invention relates to improvements in signaling devices for use upon police patrols, fire en 'nes, ambulances, and other similar types 0 motor vehicles, and has for its princi al object to provide a combination audi 1e and visual signal for giving a proper warning to the other motor vehicles and pedestrians. 1

A further object of the invention is to provide a signaling device of the above mentioned character which includes a plurality of visual signals that are successively operated and simultaneously with the actuation of a siren.

A still further object is to provide a signaling device of the above mentioned character which will, at all times, be positive and eflicient in its operation, the same being further simple in construction, inex ensive, strong Figure 2 is being shown in elevation.'-

Figure3isa diagrammatic view showing the:1 wiring diagram .for the visual signals, an

Figure 4 is a detail view of the circuit closingxmeans for the visualsi als. I

In t e drawings, wherein or the purpose of. illustration is shown the preferred em,

b'odiment of my invention, the numeral 1 de s-.

A ignates the base that is secured, in' any a, 1 "pro riate place upon the'vehicle, preferablyon erunmng board. Atubular standard2 is detachably secured at its lower end in a socket provided therefor on thebase 1. A bracket 3 is secured on the'upper end of the tubular standard, and this bracket supports I a vertical sectional view, parts 1 the vertically disposed dished member 4, the concaved face of which faces the front of the vehicle and the edge of this member is rolled as indicated at 5, with reference more particularlyto Fi re 2.

- plural ty of lamp housings, each of wh1chlsdeslgnated by the numeral 6 extends forwardly from the concaved face of the dished member 4, four of such visual signals being provided, and the same are arranged in spaced relation with respect to each other, as clearly illustrated in Figure 1. A reflector 7 is arran ed in the forward open end of each'lamp ousing, and an electric lamp 8 is supported in each lamp housing forwardly of the reflector 7, a lense 9 being mounted in the open forward end of each housing, and if desired,-this lens may be colored to distinguish the particular type of emergency vehicle on which the signaling'devi'ce is mounted.

The wiring for the electric lamps 8 extends through suitable housings 11 provided'therefor onthe convex'face of the bowl or dish shaped member '4 and the manner in which the several visual signals are illuminated in Y a successive 'manner will be presently described. Y

A motor housing v12 extends forwardly from the concaved face of the dish shaped member 4 at the central portion thereof and mounted on the outer endof this motor housing is an electric 'siren designated generally bythe numeral 13 and this siren may be of any well known construction.

A motor 14-is mounted in the housing 12 and the forward end ofthe armature shaft 15 of this motor 14 is operatively associated with the siren 13, for actuating the same in the manner well known in the art.-

Current issupplied to the motor 14, by the wires 16 that extend throu h-the tubularstandard 2 and are connects to the storage battery A of the motor vehicle, and one of these wires is grounded. A switch B is ar ranged in the c rcuit for controlling thesame' is indicated in the wiring diagram shownin i re 3. I

member 4 is bulged outwardly in a rearward he central portion of the bowl or- Q 7' direction to form a housing 17 for the switch or circuit closin and opening mechanism for the visual sign and the circuit closin and ning mechanism will now be s eci-tically described. An insulated .disc, pre erably of I fiber and designated by the numeral 18is secured in the rear end of the motor housing 12 and the rear end portion of the armature shaft projects through the fiber disc and extends into the housing 17, the rear end portion of the armature shaft being designated end portion of the armature shaft of the motor 1i and are supported at their outer ends in rearwardly extending brackets 25 that are secured to the fiber disc 18. I

A pair of insulated discs 26 are arranged on each of the transverse shafts in spaced relation with respect to the respective worm gears and on opposite sides thereof as clearly illustrated in Fi e 3. 7

These insulate discs rotate with the shaft. A. metal insert 27 is arranged in the peripheral edge of each insulated disc and cooperating with each of the insulated discs is a pair of spring contact fingers 28 and 29 respectively, which are secured at one end to the insulated support 30, the-free ends of said contact springs or fingers being curved in opposite directions for frictional engagement with the peripheral edge of the respective insulated disc 26 and these contacts are adapted to engage with the metallic insert 27,

for closing the circuit to the respective electric bulb in the visual signaling members,

' the wires 31 electrically connecting the spring contacts with the respective lamps as indicated by the wiring diagramin Figure 3.

It is to be understood that the metallic inserts 27 are arranged in the several insulat'ed discs 26, in sucha manner that only one visual. signaling unit will be turned. on at a time, and thereby a successive illumination of the several visual si aling members will be obtained, so that a ashing signal will be naling device may be installed on a highway at a sharp curve or cross road for giving the proper warning to approaching vehicles.

A signaling device of the above mentioned character can be manufactured at a very low cost and the same can furthermore be readily and easily installed on a vehicle without necessitating any material alterations.

While I have shown the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that minor changes in the size, shape and arrangement of parts maybe resorted to, without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claim.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new is A signaling device of thecharacter described comprising a supporting standard, a

vertically disposed plate secured on the standard and provided on its rear side with a centrallyand rearwardly disposed depression, a motor housin mounted centrally on the front side of the plate having an open rear end communicating with the depression, a

motor mounted in the housing, an audible signaling device mounted on the forward end of the housing and operatively connected with the motor, a support disk of insulating material mounted in the rear end portion of the motor housing, visual signal lamps mounted in spaced relation on the concave side of the plate adjacent the marginal edge thereof, current conducting wires connecting the signal lamps to a source of current sup ply and circuit breaking mechanism mounted on the insulating disk and disposed in the depression in the plate and operatively connected to the motor for successively energizing the signal lamps whereby the latter will be intermittently flashed. simultaneously with the period of operation of the said audible signaling device.

- In testimony whereof I allix my si nature.

HOMER BRIGGS wnrfme.

, displayed for more readily attracting atten-. V

tion and warning vehicles or pedestrians of their immediate danger.

When the switch B is closed, the motor 14 will operate to actuate the electric siren 13 and simultaneously operate the circuit closing mechanism in the housing 17 whereby to successively illuminate the several electric lamps 8, in a positive and eflicient manner.

- A signaling device of the above mentioned character is particularly adapted to be used on vehicles: answering emergency calls, such as for example, a police patrol, an ambulance, or a fire engine. If desired, the visual sig- 

